Don't Let Being Cooped Up Keep You Coughing


Even if you don't have allergies or breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema, you can still be at risk for indoor allergens and pollutants that can irritate your sinuses, cause future breathing difficulties, or spread viruses. Whether you are shying away from the heat of summer or keeping warm from the nip of winter, the air quality within your own home is very important. Not keeping up with air quality standards in your home may cause health problems for yourself and your household over time. More importantly, children, the elderly, and those with current health issues are at higher risk of being affected by poor air quality in the home.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) offers several solutions to improving the quality of air in homes, schools, and office buildings in an easily accessible online article titled: Care for Your Air: A Guild to Indoor Air Quality.  Things to consider are proper ventilation, moisture control, and as always, keeping toxic chemicals out of the home, or used in a professional, controlled manner in order to reduce the risk of inhalation.

Reducing the amount of pollutants in the air is one way to minimize the risk of irritating lungs, getting red itchy eyes, and the development of breathing difficulties.  Air purifiers, combined with proper home ventilation, and changing your air filters religiously is the best way to ensure the air you breathe is kept more pollutant free.  The HealthMate HM 400 by Austin Air is a perfect solution for any home.  
                          
From library.rehabmart.com

The HealthMate HM 400 draws air from 360 degrees and passes it through a medical-grade HEPA filter to collect not only allergens and chemicals, but harmful gases as well.  This 4-stage filter not only comes with a 5 year warranty, but also comes in 5 unique colors to blend into your own home décor and color scheme.

For those with newborns or small children, RehabMart also offers the Babies Breath HM 205 Air Purifier air purifier. Nothing is more important than the health of our children, the quality of air they breathe at such a volatile age can ensure them a healthier and brighter future. 
      
From library.rehabmart.com

This specific air purifier comes in pink or blue to fit any nursery or children's bedroom décor.

Another way to minimize the amount of pollutants in the air is by using a humidifier. The EPA recommends that the moisture in the air of any home should be between 30 to 50 percent.  Moisture and/or humidity gauges can be found at your local hardware store. RehabMart suggest using a humidifier along with an air purifier to further reduce the amount of harmful debris and gases in the air. The Hunter Care-Free Humidifier Plus is a great way to keep the moisture level in your home at an optimal percentage. 
                   
From library.rehabmart.com
The Hunter Care-Free not only runs quietly, but does not require replacement filters. This model has an easy "Tote-Away" tank for simple refills and only needs to be cleaned once a year to ensure proper delivery of moisture to your interior.

For those who wish to takes things one step further, RehabMart recommends two specific products that not only eliminate mold spores and bacteria such as H1N1, but can kill dust mites within minutes. The CleanWave UVC Sanitizing Wand is ideal for surfaces and the lightweight design of the wand makes it easy to move from room to room to provide an antimicrobial-free home. 

                 From library.rehabmart.com        From library.rehabmart.com

For a tougher cleaning job, which can remove dust at the same time, try the CleanWave UVC Sanitizing Furniture and Bed Vac. This system can kill and eliminate dust mites and flea eggs from bedding and upholstery while still providing the same light therapy technology to eliminate odors, and kills mold and bacteria. Using light therapy technology, you can be assured that your home will be clean of harmful debris and chemicals and you can get a good night's sleep knowing that you and your family are protected.
 
To view other air purifiers, takd a deep breath and go to this Air Purifiers page.
To view other humidifiers plese go to this Humidifiers page.
 
 
Keith Higginbotham,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO